Hub tenders called for

TENDERS for the controversial George Town hub will be sought from today.

The $6.4 million development sparked a battle between some residents wanting to ensure the historical significance of Regent Square was retained, while others sought increased services for the community.

After a drawn-out process, it received approval last December and a hub consisting of a child and family centre, LINC and Service Tasmania is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Children's Minister Michelle O'Byrne said yesterday the tender process was another step towards improving services for George Town families and creating jobs in the community.

"The tender has been approved by the Tasmanian government's central procurement board with the successful contractor required to use local sub-contractors," Ms O'Byrne said.

She said up to 90 jobs would be created during the construction phase and it would be built in line with plans and specifications.

Ms O'Byrne said the space would give service providers much-needed new facilities and give George Town residents a childcare facility for the first time.

The start of the tender process follows a George Town Council meeting this week where it was alleged a municipal planner, Justine Brooks-Bedelph, was instructed to "cut and paste" the JMG planning consultants' application for the hub to make it look like it was her own.

Ms Brooks-Bedelph also confirmed at the meeting that the council's general manager Stephen Brown had reworded part of this same application.

He was stood down in November pending a workplace allegation investigation.